I was born and raised in Hawaii. My parents are of European descent. They both moved from the East Coast, when my dad took a job as a harbor captain, and my mom transferred her career as a math teacher. My dad was always working—either taking ships in and out of the harbor or building our home from the ground up. Meanwhile my mom stayed home with us three kids, which, in a chaotic house under construction, was no easy feat. Two of us—my sister and I—were pretty neurodivergent. I remember seeing my mom cry in the mirror one night, and thinking to myself, “I never want to be the reason she cries.” From a young age, I stepped into the role of peacemaker—keeping things calm, being obedient, getting in between sibling fights—not because I was told to, but because I wanted to help.

Growing up in Hawaii instilled in me a deep respect for people, land, and spirit. At the same time, growing up white in Hawaii came with its own complexity. The painful history of colonization and displacement of Native Hawaiians wasn’t something I could ignore—it shaped my worldview. While Hawaii is deeply beautiful and magical, there’s a real and ongoing tension beneath the surface: court injustices, corrupt real estate, systemic displacement. It often made me feel like I didn’t quite belong.

LEFT: vintage jacket LILY PULITZER, vintage trousers LILY PULITZER, RIGHT: vintage jacket LILY PULITZER, trousers J. CREW

How did you get involved in modeling? We read that the legendary photographer Bruce Weber basically launched your career.

At 17, I was scouted by Bruce Weber for a Versace campaign. I had just lost my father and found myself catapulted from island life into a surreal world—shooting with Donatella Versace, Gigi Hadid, and Bruce Weber in NYC. At one point in the shoot, Bruce had us run onto a spinning disc to strike poses. I froze, then pulled out a Michael Jackson dance a choreographer had taught me at lunch. Bruce yelled at me mid-shoot to stop smiling and take it seriously. They started removing my Versace outfit—I thought I’d blown it. But later, during a tuxedo segment, they called me back and started dressing me in Versace again. The team clapped at the end. Donatella even came up to say, “Good job.” It was a wild rollercoaster ride.

Looking back, I was so green. I wish I’d known myself better then. I was grieving and lost, and stayed in NYC for about two years after. I worked with outstanding designers, including Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.

vintage jacket REMINISCENCE, shirt RALPH LAUREN, vintage shorts LACOSTE, watch TIMEX

What influenced your move, as a newer, signed model in New York City, to a quieter life back home in Hawaii?

Nature is still my medicine. When I come home to Hawaii, I reset. I swim in the ocean, play with my son, and reconnect with what truly matters. The home my father built is like a sanctuary. I truly believe that good art comes from deep self-awareness—knowing why you feel what you feel, and why you do what you do.

LEFT: vintage jacket J. PRESS, vintage sweater BROOKS BROTHERS, jeans LEVIS, watch TIMEX RIGHT: vintage sweater 10 FT. SINGLE, shirt BROOKS BROTHERS, trousers RALPH LAUREN, vintage coat BROOKS BROTHERS, loafers G.H. BASS, socks CALVIN KLEIN watch TIMEX

You’re also an avid and quite talented musician. You had a brief stint as a contestant on American Idol. Could you share a bit more about that experience?

In 2019, I was invited to audition for American Idol, which aired in 2020—right as the pandemic hit. I had just come off a Ralph Lauren shoot and landed at LAX for the audition. Somehow, I didn’t know who the judges were. I thought it would be Simon Cowell and that crew…but it was Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan. When I admitted I didn’t know who they were in a pre-interview, they tore into me on stage. I was too stunned to perform anything flashy, so I just sang a simple campfire song I’d written about love. If nothing else, I thought, “At least people will hear this message of love.”

I’ve considered trying again—maybe on The Voice. That show seems more aligned with artist development, and I’ve grown so much since then. Music has been with me since I was 11 years old. I’ve never stopped writing, playing, or singing. I haven’t “sprouted” fully as an artist yet—I still feel like I’m in the soil, growing. But that feels right. I want my music to be deeply intentional. I never want to trade authenticity for commercial pressure. My dream? To sell out Red Rocks and sing songs that carry the true weight of what life means to me.

vintage jacket J. PRESS, vintage tank top SCREAMING MIMIS, vintage shorts BROOKS BROTHERS, loafers G.H. BASS, socks CALVIN KLEIN

More recently, you’ve been studying acting in New York City, and also starred last year in the short ADAM & EVA, directed by Priscilla Emprechtinger. After this breakthrough, how do you envision your trajectory on stage and screen?

This year I acted in three films. I’m also studying acting more seriously, doing one-on-one coaching and attending theater school in New York. I’d love to do live theater—it’s such a raw, present art form. Unlike film, which is captured once and replayed forever, live performance is a sacred, unrepeatable moment. It demands full presence, and I love that.

blazer RALPH LAUREN, shirt BROOKS BROTHERS, trousers PAUL STUART, vintage tie CHURCH STREET SURPLUS, shoes UNDERGROUND-ENGLAND, watch TIMEX

You were in Hackett London’s “Formula 1” campaign. Which brands and collaborators, of the many with which you’ve been on set, have been your favorite over the years?

Hackett London was an incredible experience and was filmed in Spain. It pivoted to Formula E due to floods in Valencia—it was supposed to be Formula 1. I recently shot for P Johnson Tailors—Patrick’s style and vision are amazing. He works with photographer James Harvey, who shoots only on film. Their work feels timeless, and I always leave those shoots feeling creatively inspired. I’ve also worked with Industrie Clothing out of Australia, which is always a great pleasure.

vintage tuxedo jacket LORD & TAYLOR, shirt BROOKS BROTHERS, trousers PAUL STUART, shoes UNDERGROUND-ENGLAND, vintage bow tie REMINISCENCE, watch TIMEX

You have a young son. What has fatherhood taught you?

In 2020, during COVID, I found out I was going to be a father. It was a surprise— my relationship with my son’s mother had only been about two months in. She’s part-Hawaiian and deeply spiritual and connected to her ancestry- a very inspiring human. I had been performing at cafés, loosely modeling and I only had the itch for acting, but when we found out about the pregnancy, I felt I had to put everything aside and walk away from the industry I had been pursuing. I considered becoming a firefighter and reorienting my life entirely.

Eventually, I started therapy for organizing my mind/life and met my mother agent, Ken Harvey through a longtime photographer friend, Santiago. Therapy helped me realize I had been repeating the same pattern I had with my mother—being a people pleaser. Although it’s beautiful to have empathy, I am learning what it means to value myself outside of external validation. It’s amazing how much more effective you can be for others around you by taking care of yourself. My son’s mother and I discovered through time that we didn’t work out as a couple. So we are co-parenting. That clarity gave me the freedom to stop seeking her approval and start taking creative risks. I’ve been leaning into the arts deeply and looking forward to having a more solid base, to have more time with my son.

vintage sweater AMERICAN RAG CIE, trousers 10 FT. SINGLE, vintage overcoat SCREAMING MIMIS

Do you imagine you’ll ever relocate from your Hawaiian home base?

I’ve been balancing fatherhood with work—traveling between Hawaii, New York, and Europe for music, acting, and modeling. Acting and music both deserve full lifetimes to master, and I’m deeply committed to both. Hawaii will always be home, but it isn’t the epicenter for these industries, so I travel a lot. Some friends are baffled by how I manage it all, but to me, it’s just returning to that childhood feeling—that spark I had when I first imagined performing in front of thousands. That dream is still alive.

I see myself continuing to travel—wherever work leads me. But my son will always be in Hawaii, and I will always show up for him. Eventually, I’d love to build a clay house off-grid—rooted in nature but near a beautiful community, maybe in Central America or Europe. I crave that balance: grounded living and expansive creativity.

madras jacket RALPH LAUREN, shirt BROOKS BROTHERS, vintage khakis J. PRESS, sunglasses EYEGLASS BOY, loafers G.H. BASS, socks CALVIN KLEIN, watch TIMEX

What do you hope the future brings, as far as your career is concerned?

Right now, I’m establishing myself as a musician, actor, and model. Each of these paths is hard enough alone, but I believe there’s a way to weave them together in service of truthful expression. Modeling these days is more about quality than quantity. I’m also really into health and longevity—optimizing my body and mind so I can keep doing this work. What you think and feel—your inner reality—shows up in your eyes, your presence, your energy. Whether you’re in front of a lens or on stage, that essence translates.

I’m extremely grateful to Ken Harvey for being a mentor and constant support through it all. I’m learning, growing, and showing up—for the art, for my family, and for the kid in me who always dreamed of standing on stage, sharing something real.

sunglasses PERSOL

Are there any upcoming projects that you can share with us?

This year, I’ve recorded music at Mighty Toad Records in New York City with Craig Dryer, lined up multiple photo shoots for brands, and as mentioned previously, acted in three films. There’s definitely more to come.